Man Accused of Shooting, Killing 3 Year Old Offered Plea Bargain of 12 Years in Jail

Zachariah Grisham has been offered a plea agreement with prosecutors in Michigan City, Ind., that would not allow him to spend more than 12 years in jail for accidentally shooting and killing his girlfriend's 3-year-old son, Lance Wilson, during a gun game.

The plea bargain would allow Grisham to plead guilty to felony neglect of a dependent, however, there is no mention of him shooting the child last September.

Originally, Grisham was charged with child neglect, causing death and reckless homicide, notes the Associated Press.

LaPorte County Deputy Prosecutor Dave Ambers refused to comment on the proposed plea deal until the terms are accepted and Grisham is sentenced.

"It did not meet the qualifications of murder," Ambers did tell NWITimes.com. "It's a very unfortunate incident."

Under the plea deal, any sentencing after 12 years in prison would be served on probation or other restrictions such as house arrest.

Grisham and Wilson used to play a gun game in which the boy would point his finger at Grisham and pretend it was a gun. Grisham would then point a real gun at the boy and pull the trigger.

However, Grisham reportedly forgot the gun was loaded and killed the boy.

According to court records, Grisham has a prior criminal record for theft, a noise violation and false informing.